Friday, May 15, 2020

The Right to Repair Ballot question worthy of your signature

As technology in our cars has increased over the years so has the effort among manufactures to keep the pertinent repair data out of the hands of repair shops and car owners. If you ever had to go to the dealer because your local repair shop couldn't understand the codes from your computer, you'll know what I mean.

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The Massachusetts "Right to Repair" Initiative, also known as Question 1, appeared on the Massachusetts 2012 general election ballot as an initiated state statute. The Right to Repair proposal was to require vehicle owners and independent repair facilities in Massachusetts to have access to the same vehicle diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturers' Massachusetts dealers and authorized repair facilities.[1][2] The initiative passed with overwhelming voter support on November 6, 2012, with 86% for and 14% against.

On the last day of the session, July 31, 2012, a legislative compromise was agreed to and H. 4362 passed. Despite the law going into effect, Question 1 remained on the ballot due to timing issues. Supporters and opponents of Question 1 had originally both stated that they would launch a campaign, together, to educate voters to vote "no" on the ballot measure in November, since the compromise was reached.[6] However, The Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee decided that voters wanted the more stringent ballot initiative rather than the compromise legislation and were joined by AAA of Pioneer Valley in West Springfield and AAA of Southern New England in Providence in urging voters to vote YES on the initiative.[7] After the ballot measure passed, the legislature passed H. 3757 to reconcile the two; this was signed by the governor on November 26, 2013. The Summary of the measure as it appeared on the ballot reads as follows:[8] A YES VOTE would enact the proposed law requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to allow vehicle owners and independent repair facilities in Massachusetts to have access to the same vehicle diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturers' Massachusetts dealers and authorized repair facilities. A NO VOTE would make no change in existing laws.